State Officials: Mexican Drug Cartel Violence In Arizona And Texas

"I've been in direct contact with Secretary Napolitano ... and I've asked her for a substantial amount of technology, in the form of aviation assets as well as 1,000 more troops that we can commit to different parts of the border," Perry told reporters after meeting with state, local, and federal authorities at the Chamizal National Monument, just across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez. When asked to clarify if he was referring to law enforcement or military resources, Perry said, "I really don't care. As along as they are boots on the ground that are properly trained to deal with the border region, I don't care whether they are military troops, or National Guard troops or whether they are customs agents." Perry, who has repeatedly said the federal government has not done its part to the secure the border, also said Tuesday he hoped to get widespread support from the Texas Legislature for a $135 million request for state-led security efforts.

The experts described recent gun battles just south of the border where Mexican gangs fought rival cartels, as well as police, blasting away with machine guns and lobbing hand grenades. "This is organized crime," warned Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. "The enemy we are combating is extremely well organized, extremely disciplined and extremely well trained." * * * "Hundreds of people are being kidnapped, raped and killed," said Sen. Jonathan Paton, R-Tucson, in a news release explaining the session. "Body parts are cut off if ransoms aren't paid fast enough. Drug cartel members are being assassinated in our own state. This is very real, and policymakers need to hear about the dangers." * * * Speakers said bloodshed that historically was confined to Mexico is escalating and migrating. Phoenix now ranks second in the world in kidnappings for ransom, behind Mexico City. In 2008, the city reported 3664 abductions, mostly tied to Mexican human smugglers and narcotics gangs. "The violence associated with drug cartels is also reaching into Arizona," said Dan Wells, the Intelligence Bureau commander at the state Department of Public Safety. "This is a new and rising phenomenon that is very alarming."